One week after last Monday’s train accident, the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, has restored operations along the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, with assurances that improved safety measures are now in place across the corridor.
Train services was suspended on March 16 after an early morning accident near Asham Station. The incident, which federal investigators are still probing, has been linked to a coupling-related mechanical failure.
Officials reports confirm that a rear locomotive attached at Jere terminus detached while the train was in motion. The detached locomotive then rolled forward and struck the rear of train KA2.
The train, which departed Rigasa with 429 passengers, recorded no fatalities, however several passengers sustained injuries and were treated before the service continued to Idu.
Normal services resumed on Wednesday after emergency technical work and safety audits were completed on the affected section of the track.
Announcing the resumption in an update posted on X, NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, said the corporation had implemented additional safety checks to prevent a recurrence.
“Following the incident on Monday, 16th March 2026, normal train operations have been fully restored through the swift intervention of the Nigerian Railway Corporation,” he said.
Opeifa added that passengers can expect stricter operational monitoring and tighter pre-departure checks on all locomotives and coaches.
“Passengers can now confidently book tickets, as improved safety and operational measures have been implemented to ensure secure and comfortable journeys,” he said.
He also confirmed that the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, AKTS, completed its return trip from Rigasa on March 17, signalling a return to routine scheduling.
“We are also pleased to welcome passengers on the AKTS return trip from Rigasa, Kaduna State, yesterday, 17th March 2026, with the support of HRH (Alhaji) Ishaq Ibrahim Tanko, Hakimin Idu District Head, Abuja,” he said.
The NRC noted that immediate response efforts after the accident helped limit disruptions, while broader reviews of equipment and operating procedures are ongoing. Safety investigators from the federal rail regulator are also continuing their independent inquiry into the technical cause of the accident.
